Shamrock Hotel, Northam

Author

Shire of Northam

Place Number

01865

Enlarge Map

Show Property Street View

There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.

Location

110 Fitzgerald St Northam

Location Details

Other Name(s)

Riley's Bar
The Farmer's Home Hotel

Local Government

Northam

Region

Avon Arc

Construction Date

Constructed from 1861, Constructed from 1890

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type	Status	Date	Documents	More information
State Register	Registered	25 Aug 2009	Register Entry Assessment Documentation	Heritage Council

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type	Status	Date	Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type	Status	Date	Grading/Management		More information
Type	Status	Date	Category	Description	More information
Statewide Hotel Survey	Completed	01 Nov 1997			Heritage Council
Municipal Inventory	Adopted	25 Feb 1998	1.Exceptional significance	1.Exceptional significance Essential to the heritage of the locality. Rare or outstanding example. The place should be retained and conserved unless there is no feasible and prudent alternative to doing otherwise. Any alterations or extensions should reinforce the significance of the place, and be in accordance with a Conservation Plan (if one exists for the place).

Statement of Significance

The strategic location of the Shamrock Hotel on the bend in Fitzgerald Street gives the building considerable aesthetic and streetscape value and contributes to the heritage character of the main commercial street of Northam. The building has historical significance as one of the earliest hotels in Northam, originally licensed in 1866. It has social significance as it has been the focus for much of the social life in the town. The Shamrock Hotel is making a significant contribution to the growth of the tourism industry in the region.

Physical Description

It is believed that the present Shamrock Hotel incorporates the old stone Farmers' Home hotel. The parapet wall is capped by classical balustrade forms.
In 1991, interior changes and renovations were undertaken to raise the quality of the accommodation and service to top hotel status. Original lead light glazing and pressed metal ceilings were retained where possible, and original designs copied to restore. Original pressed metal ceilings remain In the bar area downstairs.

History

The Shamrock Hotel was originally the Farmers' Home, built by a Mr J Ainsworth. George Throssell purchased the property, intending to build a hotel. Initially he was refused a licence to sell alcohol, but it was granted in 1866. The hotel changed owners a few times, and trade was affected by the strength of the Temperance movement in Northam. Joseph O'Hara bought the Farmers' Home in 1891, with plans to make it the best hotel in town. Major extensions were added and the name was changed to the Shamrock Hotel.
The Shamrock Hotel has won a number of tourism awards in recent years.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High degree
Authenticity: Moderate degree

Condition

Fair - Good

Associations

Name	Type	Year From	Year To
A.E. & A.B. Cox	Architect	1920	1930

References

Ref ID No	Ref Name	Ref Source	Ref Date
	1998 Municipal Inventory	Town of Northam	1998

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id	Title	Medium	Year Of Publication
9925	Shamrock Hotel Northam, Western Australia	Conservation works report	2012
9489	Shamrock Hotel (Northam, Western Australia) conservation plan.	Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan}	2009

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Original Use	COMMERCIAL	Hotel, Tavern or Inn
Present Use	COMMERCIAL	Hotel, Tavern or Inn

Architectural Styles

Style
Victorian Georgian
Federation Free Classical
Federation Filigree

Construction Materials

Type	General	Specific
Roof	METAL	Corrugated Iron
Wall	STONE	Other Stone
Wall	BRICK	Common Brick

Historic Themes

General	Specific
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES	Sport, recreation & entertainment
OUTSIDE INFLUENCES	Depression & boom
OCCUPATIONS	Hospitality industry & tourism
OUTSIDE INFLUENCES	Water, power, major t'port routes
PEOPLE	Local heroes & battlers
OCCUPATIONS	Domestic activities

Creation Date

30 May 1989

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

01 Jan 2017

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.